This eBook was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net>
[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D.W.]
By Georg Ebers
Shall I now set forth how that Ann and I found Herdegen in his hiding-place, a simple little beekeeper's but in the most covert part of theLorenzer wald, a spot whither no horseman might pass; how that even inhis poor peasant's weed my brother was yet a goodly man, and clasped hissweetheart in his arms as ardently as in that first day on his homecomingfrom Italy—and how that the dear, hunted fellow, beholding me inmourning dress, took his sister to his heart as soon as his plighted lovehad left the place free? Yea, for the dead had been dear to himlikewise, and his love for me had never failed.
When we presently gave ourselves up in peace to the joy of being alltogether once more, I weened that his eye was more steadfast, and hisvoice graver and calmer than of old; and whensoever he spoke to me it wasin a soft and heartfelt tone, which gave me comforting assurance that hegrieved for my grief. And how sweetly and gravely did he beguile Ann tomake the most of this sad meeting, wherein welcome and God-speed soclosely touched. In the house once more I rejoiced in the lofty flightwhich lifted this youth's whole spirit above all things common or base;and his sweetheart's eyes rested on him in sheer delight as he talkedwith my uncle, or with the magistrate who had come forth with us to theForest. And albeit it was in truth his duty to the Emperor his master,to fulfil his behest, nevertheless he gave us his promise that he wouldput off the announcement of the sentence till we should return to thetown next day, and prolong our time together and with Cousin Maud as muchas in him lay.
My aunt's eyes shone with sheer joy when they fell on her darling withHerdegen at her side, and she could say to herself no doubt that thesetwo, who, as she conceived, were made for each other, would hardly havecome together again but for her help. Or ever we set forth on themorrow, she called Herdegen to her once more to speak with him privily,and bid him bear in mind that if ever in his wanderings he should meetanother youth—and he knew who—he might tell him that at home in theLorenzerwald a mother's heart was yet beating, which could never resttill his presence had gladdened it once more.
My uncle rode with us into the town. It was at the gate that themagistrate told Herdegen what his fate should be: that he must leaveNuremberg on the morrow at the same hour; and to my dying day I shallever remember with gladness and regret the meal we then sat down to withour nearest and dearest.
Cousin Maud called it her darling's condemnation supper. She had watchedthe cooking of every dish in the kitchen, and chosen the finest wine outof the cellar. Yet the victual might have been oatmeal porridge, and thenoble liquor the smallest beer, and it would have been no matter to ourgreat, albeit melancholy gladness. And indeed, no man could have gazedat the pair now come together again after so many perils, and not havefelt his heart uplifted. Ah! and how dear to me were those twain! Theyhad learnt that life was as nothing to either of them without the other,and their hearts meseemed were henceforth as closely knit as two streamswhich flow together to make one river, and whose waters no power on earthcan ever sunder. They sat with us, but behind great posies of flowers,as